Previously called street checks
In 2021 the Government of Alberta made amendments to the Police Act which, among other changes, added a definition for street checks. Prior, one was not included.

The provincial definition can be interpreted to define street checks as any officer interaction that may or may not have clear grounds. This does not align with EPS current practice. Before the provincial definition was issued, EPS defined a street check as the collection of voluntary information from a member of the public where there are clear grounds it furthers an investigation or prevents crime, disorder and victimization.

Due to this difference, the EPS now refers to such interactions as officer contact reports and does not conduct street checks. Officer contact reports must always have clear grounds.

What is an officer contact report?
Fundamentally, it is an interaction between an officer and the public to collect information. They may only be conducted if there are clear grounds that it may further an investigation or prevent crime, disorder and victimization.

The subject of an officer contact report is not under detention and is under no obligation to provide information to the questioning officers unless there is a legal requirement. Any information provided by the subject is completely voluntary.

EPS follows policies and training to ensure oversight related to fair and impartial policing.

What are carding and street checks?
Carding is the practice of attempting to collect information in way that is discriminatory or arbitrary. Carding was banned by the provincial government in 2021 but was already prohibited by EPS policy. EPS does not conduct carding and has never supported its practice.

Street checks are the practice of attempting to collect information that may or may not occur outside of regular authority and policing duties. Street checks are regulated by the provincial government and are not conducted by the EPS.

Why are officer contact reports conducted?
Officer contact reports are an important tool for crime prevention initiated by officers in response to crime trends, public safety concerns and may result from a call for service or proactive policing.

When would an officer conduct a contact report?
Officer contact reports are used when a police officer is responding to a call for service, or when they see something that looks unusual – a person in need of assistance, or someone performing a suspicious activity.

They may also be initiated proactively based on geographical crime trends as more patrols and officer contact reports occur in areas with high levels of criminal activity.  Residents who live in these areas want police to pay attention to who is walking around in their neighbourhood.

Example: If a police officer observes a person peering into backyards at 3:00 a.m. or checking locks on vehicles in a parking lot, that person would likely be the subject of an officer contact report.  The information gathered is then recorded by the police officer and retained by the local police agency.  If criminal activity was reported in the same area, police would have a starting point to investigate the crime.  Information contained in the officer contact report could identify a witness, evidence, or even a suspect.

Reporting and audits
All police interactions not resulting in arrest or detention where personal information is collected are reported to the Edmonton Police Commission (EPC) and the provincial government. Though reporting on all interactions is not a legislative requirement, the EPS has begun doing so to provide greater transparency and accountability to the public.

In 2016 and again in 2018, the EPS and EPC completed a comprehensive review and external audit or reports that resulted in a series of changes to further improve the program, which include:

• Extensive training for recruits, frontline patrol members, patrol supervisors and beat patrol members.
• Recruit practices that place an emphasis on diversity to better reflect the community the EPS serves.
• Quality assurance reviews/auditing twice a year to measure if administration and reporting on checks is fair and equitable and make recommendation.